Alumni Association donates $130,000 to McNeese Programs

During the current year, the McNeese Alumni board of directors allocated $155,000 for these five specific projects:

*  The "Alumni Association Undergraduate Scholar Program" which supports student's inquiry, investigation, or experimentation into topics that make an original, intellectual or creative contribution to their field of study.  This program requires an educational collaboration and strong partnership between students and faculty mentors.

   
*  The "Alumni Association Faculty Development Awards Program" provides seed money for faculty efforts to conduct pilot studies or to pursue applied research, service, scholarly, or creative work appropriate for their discipline.

*  The "Alumni Scholarship Program" now totals over $375,000 in endowed funds for 15 annual scholarships.  This year's scholarship addition will go toward funding a McNeese female athlete.

*  The commissioning of a statue of John McNeese, the founder of the Louisiana educational system and the namesake of our university.  Monies from the Pathway to Excellence brick campaign were used to commission the statue, which will be completed this spring.

*  The provision of much needed funds directly to various academic and campus departments.

Additional monies were used to:
     -     Finance the new alumni website and online community
     -     Sponsor recruitment efforts for new students
     -     Host alumni roundups, reunions, and events that keep graduates 
           connected to their alma mater
     -     Provide recognition of excellence in the areas of alumni and
           faculty achievements, service, and student accomplishments
     -     Provide for an annual outside independent audit of all
            alumni association finances.

McNeese State University is preparing tomorrow's leaders and arming them with the tools needed for both success and significance.  Alumni donations are an investment in McNeese's future and the students who attend.